between Closure and Fire: Authentic Historical Building in the Old City of Hebron is at Risk of Demolition by Israeli Occupation Forces

Israeli settlers escalate their aggressions against the Palestinian citizens and their property in the Old City f Hebron. On Wednesday 3\10\2018, a number of Israeli settlers from the Al-Hisbah settlement which is close to the Souq of the Old City set fire to the home of Izz al-Din al-Sharabati. It is one of the historical buildings in one of the oldest neighborhoods of the Old City of Hebron, registered at the World Heritage List. It sets a unique architectural model for the Old City’s courtyards. It is part of its urban fabric and architectural heritage.

Hebron Rehabilitation Committee (HRC) views this aggression with big concern since the fire caused damage not only to the external walls of the building but also to its gates and historical stones. The fire causes the stone to crumble and corrode, which means that the building might allow water to leak and fade away, especially it is difficult to renovate it while it is situated in a military closed area.

HRC did its best to renovate it, but it was prohibited by the Israeli occupation forces that used different means to obstruct its effort. The staff of HRC were pelted with stones by Israeli settlers when they tried to access the building last year.

HRC’s General Director, Imad Hamdan, said that this aggression against the Palestinians’ properties aims to wipe off the architectural and cultural heritage of the Palestinians and fabricate the history of the Old City of Hebron in preparation for Judaizing it.

Hamdan wondered whether international organizations’ , mainly UNESCO, would intervene to stop Israeli occupation assaults on historical buildings and ensure that such crimes won’t be committed again, especially the Old City of Hebron is registered at the World Heritage List.